So it's that time of year again. For some inexplicable reason, just as temperatures drop below freezing and everywhere you step you risk slipping over on a patch of ice, party season rolls around and everyone is expected to don tiny little dresses and impractical heels. Well, no one ever said looking good was easy. But it should, in my opinion, certainly take precedence over practicality. So today's post will therefore be ignoring the arctic temperatures and celebrating all that is glitzy, shiny and the exact opposite of sensible.
So where to start? Christmas party dressing may, at first misleading glance, appear to be easy. Surely one just slips on an LBD, steps into heels and grabs a clutch, no? Alas, nothing in fashion is ever that easy. Your Christmas party attire is required to be all at once dressy, casual, wintry, of-the-moment, sophisticated, demure, youthful, fun and Christmassy. Phew. Last year's dress is just not going to cut it, I'm afraid. But before I frighten you too much, fear not, my fashionable friends: the lovely British high street is awash with many a fabulous item with which to enrobe yourself. All you need to start you off is a little bit of inspiration from a few of our famous friends (just click on their names to see their outfits).
First up, I present the delightful Leigh Lezark. Muse/model/DJ/friend of Karl Lagerfeld and probably owner of many other hyphenates to boot, Miss Lezark is particularly good at looking simultaneously dressed up and dressed down: somewhat of a contradiction, maybe, but a crucial balance to master in party dressing. By these rules, a high-octane dress should be paired with bed-head hair and sexily smudged make-up, or equally a low-key top and trouser outfit accessorised with chunky costume jewellery and look-at-me shoes. You will therefore be neither under nor overdressed. Take, for example, Leigh's stellar look, worn to Vogue's Masked Ball. Her brilliant combination of long luxe gown under a fluffy feather coat is perfect for this glamorous event, but she keeps things the right side of cool with her sexy smoky eyes and effortlessly tousled hair. If you have a similiarly high-end event to attend, I suggest heading to the high street to channel Leigh's brilliant colour & texture pairings. New Look's Chiffon Maxi Dress in purple, £35.99, is a great dress option at a staggeringly good price. Then spend the money you've saved on your dress on a luxurious feather coat like Warehouse's Feather Jacket, £200, and you'll have the perfect cosy cover-up for all your party outfits (there's nothing worse than a beautiful dress ruined by a shapeless old coat slung on top). Finish off your Lezark-inspired ensemble by smudging Topshop's Eyeshadow in Potion, £6.50, over your lids.
Perhaps, however, a maxidress would be a little too posh for your Christmas bash. For a slightly more low-key cocktails and canapés affair, I refer you to our second muse of the evening, the ineffably fabulous Lou Doillon. Daughter of Jane Birkin (and possessor of almost as many model/muse hyphenates as Leigh Lezark), this French It-girl is purveyor of a brand of insouciant chic that seems to have been made for Yuletide office drinks. I love the above ensemble because it is brilliantly simple but in no way boring - and that's no mean feat. The devil is, as ever, in the details. A nice little LBD and black peep-toe heels is nothing new, but by adding an iridescent texture, sexily waved hair and a tangle of heavy metal necklaces, Lou has achieved that perfect balance between too much and not enough. Be careful when searching for an iridescent dress of your own, because veer too far into shiny taffeta territory and you'll be giving the gaudy baubles on the Christmas tree a run for their money in the tacky stakes. I absolutely love Topshop's Chainmail Vest Dress, £180, but sadly that price is a little steep for me. French Connection's Luck Be A Lady Dress, £95, is also very nice but still not super cheap. New Look's Metallic Skater Dress, however, is exactly that, having been reduced to a mere £7 (unfortunately it's out of stock online but you might be able to pick it up instore). I also rather like Rare's Sheer Mesh & Metallic Rose Dress, £32 at Asos. Once you've picked your iridescent weapon of choice, top it off with a lovely bundle of silver chains like Topshop's Drape Fringe Multirow Necklace, £14, and step into Asos' Poppy Velvet Knot Platform Shoes, £45. Tong some loose waves into your hair and apply a soft pink lipstick to finish the look.
Finally, we have the sartorially perfect Ashley Olsen (on the right) providing a great option for those of you who prefer a slightly more low-key party ensemble. Ashley's simple look of sheer navy tunic, black tights and heels is given a sophisticated edge with a sleek belt, poker straight hair and an eye-catching diamond bracelet. It's a great formula that's easily replicated. Simply team Vero Moda's Pintuck Chiffon Tunic, £33.50 at Asos, with Topshop's Galaxy High Vamp Point Shoes, £75 and add Asos' Leather Double Buckle Skinny Waist Belt, £18. Finally straighten your hair and slip on a high-octane bracelet like Miss Selfridge's Stretch Link Bracelet, £8.50.
So there you have it: three lovely looks to suit any party occasion. And when in doubt, just remember: put on some heels, apply bright lipstick or smoky eyes, and grab a piece of statement jewellery. You can't go too far wrong.
So where to start? Christmas party dressing may, at first misleading glance, appear to be easy. Surely one just slips on an LBD, steps into heels and grabs a clutch, no? Alas, nothing in fashion is ever that easy. Your Christmas party attire is required to be all at once dressy, casual, wintry, of-the-moment, sophisticated, demure, youthful, fun and Christmassy. Phew. Last year's dress is just not going to cut it, I'm afraid. But before I frighten you too much, fear not, my fashionable friends: the lovely British high street is awash with many a fabulous item with which to enrobe yourself. All you need to start you off is a little bit of inspiration from a few of our famous friends (just click on their names to see their outfits).
First up, I present the delightful Leigh Lezark. Muse/model/DJ/friend of Karl Lagerfeld and probably owner of many other hyphenates to boot, Miss Lezark is particularly good at looking simultaneously dressed up and dressed down: somewhat of a contradiction, maybe, but a crucial balance to master in party dressing. By these rules, a high-octane dress should be paired with bed-head hair and sexily smudged make-up, or equally a low-key top and trouser outfit accessorised with chunky costume jewellery and look-at-me shoes. You will therefore be neither under nor overdressed. Take, for example, Leigh's stellar look, worn to Vogue's Masked Ball. Her brilliant combination of long luxe gown under a fluffy feather coat is perfect for this glamorous event, but she keeps things the right side of cool with her sexy smoky eyes and effortlessly tousled hair. If you have a similiarly high-end event to attend, I suggest heading to the high street to channel Leigh's brilliant colour & texture pairings. New Look's Chiffon Maxi Dress in purple, £35.99, is a great dress option at a staggeringly good price. Then spend the money you've saved on your dress on a luxurious feather coat like Warehouse's Feather Jacket, £200, and you'll have the perfect cosy cover-up for all your party outfits (there's nothing worse than a beautiful dress ruined by a shapeless old coat slung on top). Finish off your Lezark-inspired ensemble by smudging Topshop's Eyeshadow in Potion, £6.50, over your lids.
Perhaps, however, a maxidress would be a little too posh for your Christmas bash. For a slightly more low-key cocktails and canapés affair, I refer you to our second muse of the evening, the ineffably fabulous Lou Doillon. Daughter of Jane Birkin (and possessor of almost as many model/muse hyphenates as Leigh Lezark), this French It-girl is purveyor of a brand of insouciant chic that seems to have been made for Yuletide office drinks. I love the above ensemble because it is brilliantly simple but in no way boring - and that's no mean feat. The devil is, as ever, in the details. A nice little LBD and black peep-toe heels is nothing new, but by adding an iridescent texture, sexily waved hair and a tangle of heavy metal necklaces, Lou has achieved that perfect balance between too much and not enough. Be careful when searching for an iridescent dress of your own, because veer too far into shiny taffeta territory and you'll be giving the gaudy baubles on the Christmas tree a run for their money in the tacky stakes. I absolutely love Topshop's Chainmail Vest Dress, £180, but sadly that price is a little steep for me. French Connection's Luck Be A Lady Dress, £95, is also very nice but still not super cheap. New Look's Metallic Skater Dress, however, is exactly that, having been reduced to a mere £7 (unfortunately it's out of stock online but you might be able to pick it up instore). I also rather like Rare's Sheer Mesh & Metallic Rose Dress, £32 at Asos. Once you've picked your iridescent weapon of choice, top it off with a lovely bundle of silver chains like Topshop's Drape Fringe Multirow Necklace, £14, and step into Asos' Poppy Velvet Knot Platform Shoes, £45. Tong some loose waves into your hair and apply a soft pink lipstick to finish the look.
Finally, we have the sartorially perfect Ashley Olsen (on the right) providing a great option for those of you who prefer a slightly more low-key party ensemble. Ashley's simple look of sheer navy tunic, black tights and heels is given a sophisticated edge with a sleek belt, poker straight hair and an eye-catching diamond bracelet. It's a great formula that's easily replicated. Simply team Vero Moda's Pintuck Chiffon Tunic, £33.50 at Asos, with Topshop's Galaxy High Vamp Point Shoes, £75 and add Asos' Leather Double Buckle Skinny Waist Belt, £18. Finally straighten your hair and slip on a high-octane bracelet like Miss Selfridge's Stretch Link Bracelet, £8.50.
So there you have it: three lovely looks to suit any party occasion. And when in doubt, just remember: put on some heels, apply bright lipstick or smoky eyes, and grab a piece of statement jewellery. You can't go too far wrong.
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